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Boucherie Chevaline Trade Sign
Located in London, GB
Boucherie Chevaline Trade Sign
A hand crafted Boucherie Chevaline, zinc gold leaf hand beaten
Category
Early 20th Century French Victorian Signs
Materials
Zinc
Pair of Cat Trade Signs
Located in Branford, CT
Incredible pair of cat trade signs. Braced plywood with red glass eyes. Original paint. They can
Category
Vintage 1930s North American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Plywood
19th Century Cobbler Trade Sign
Located in Nantucket, MA
A carved cobbler's boot-form trade sign, in old gold paint.
Carved in two pieces of pine, capped
Category
Antique Late 19th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Lead
19th Century, Apothecary Trade Sign
Located in Nantucket, MA
Figural trade sign in the form of a mortar and pestle, both the mortar and pestle are hand turned
Category
Antique Late 19th Century North American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Zinc
Monumental Cobblers Boot Trade Sign
Located in Staffordshire, GB
Monumental Cobblers Boot Trade Sign.
Provenance: By Repute Crosby Cobblers - Liverpool Est 1841
Category
Early 20th Century British Signs
Materials
Metal, Brass
Framed 18th c. Merchant Trade Sign
Located in Greenwich, CT
A late 18th century/early 19th century trade sign from a Dutch West Indies shipping merchant. The
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Dutch Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
19th Century Folk Art Upholstery Trade Sign
Located in San Francisco, CA
Wonderful 19th century hand painted folk art upholstery trade sign. Double sided wooden trade sign
Category
Antique Late 19th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
Important Folk Art Trade Sign
Located in Greenwich, CT
A mid 19th Century folk art trade sign of demilune form, depicting a Native American chief holding
Category
Antique 19th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
1800s Skeleton Key Locksmith Trade Sign
Located in Peekskill, NY
This is one of the best locksmith trade signs we have offered. It’s early and all handmade in iron
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Folk Art Signs
Materials
Iron
Vintage Metal Optician Shop Trade Sign
Located in Linkebeek, BE
vintage Metal Optician Shop Trade Sign
Shop Industrial decor - Optician sign Antique
Large yellow
Category
Mid-20th Century Industrial Signs
Materials
Metal
Schweppes Table Waters Oak Trade Sign Board
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Schweppes table waters oak trade sign board
This charming Oak Trade Sign would have been hung
Category
Mid-20th Century Arts and Crafts Signs
Materials
Oak
19th Century 'Doctor McCracken' Surgeon's Trade Sign
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Double-sided doctor's medical practice trade sign for 'Dr. McCracken'.
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Signs
Holstein Milk Painted Metal Trade Sign
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This folky original painted hand made Holsteins Milk metal farm trade sign has the original chain
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Metal
Vintage American Folk Art Showroom Trade Sign
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Charming vintage wooden trade sign for Showroom. The sign was original painted in with green and
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood, Paint
Large Weathered Trade Sign "Carriage Shop"
Located in Greenwich, CT
A 12 foot long trade sign displaying the words Carriage Shop on one side and Horse Shoeing on the
Category
Antique 1870s American Signs
Materials
Wood
Dairy Products Trade Sign Geo Fitchett 1940s
Located in Newfoundland, PA
Wonderful 1940s Geo Fitchett Dairy Products Trade sign, this wooden trade sign is in wonderful
Category
Vintage 1940s American Primitive Signs
Materials
Wood
Large Vintage Fish Store Trade Sign Sculpture
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Striking large hanging fish sculpture, once used as a fish store trade sign. Material is painted
Category
Vintage 1950s American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Composition
Early 20th Century Pharmacist Figural Trade Sign
Located in Dekalb, IL
Antique figural copper and tin trade sign.
This piece takes the form of an antique mortar and
Category
Early 20th Century Signs
Materials
Copper, Wrought Iron, Tin
Eye and Glasses Window Display Trade Sign
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Eye and Glasses Window Display Trade Sign
The sign is made in presses tin, it seems to be hand
Category
Vintage 1930s Folk Art Signs
Materials
Tin
Antique Wrought Iron Welder's Trade Sign
Located in Montreal, QC
business in the creation of your project.
Antique trade signs are captivating relics that offer a
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Canadian Folk Art Signs
Materials
Iron
Hand Painted Dentist Trade Sign c.1940
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
Single sided wooden dentist tooth trade sign with gold and black letters. Hand painted, hand
Category
Early 20th Century Industrial Signs
Materials
Wood
Antique Ingersoll Watches Adverting Trade Sign, circa 1900
Located in San Francisco, CA
Antique double sided trade sign for Ingersoll Watches in the shape of a pocket watch.
Excellent old
Category
Early 20th Century American Other Signs
Materials
Metal
19th Century American Trade Sign 'Crook', Medina, NY
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th century American trade sign 'Crook', Medina, NY
Craftsman made, with sand-painted back ground
Category
Antique 19th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Giltwood, Wood
J.W. Fiske Cast ZInc Horse Trade Sign
By J.W. Fiske & Company
Located in Branford, CT
Rare, large size, cast zinc stable trade sign. Signed by J.W.Fiske, New York, late 19th century
Category
Antique 1880s American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Zinc
Hand-Carved Steer Head Trade Sign
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Hand-carved French walnut steer head trade sign. Made for a butcher shop. Simple, yet well done
Category
Early 20th Century French Signs
Materials
Wood
Folk Art Hand Painted Wooden Trade Sign
Located in Nantucket, MA
Antique Folk Art hand painted double-sided wooden trade sign dating from the early 20th Century
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Pine
19th Century Gold Giltwood Carved Letters William Trade Sign
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Classic 19th century American wood trade sign with chunky hand carved and gold painted letters
Category
Antique Late 19th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
American Wrought Iron and Gilt Trade Sign Bracket , Circa 1880
Located in Charleston, SC
American wrought iron and gilt trade sign bracket with decorative scroll work and gilt ball motif
Category
Antique 1880s American Folk Art Signs
Wooden Trade Sign Advertising Model of Kissel Gold Bug Speedster
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Wooden Trade Sign Advertising Model of Kissel Gold Bug Speedster
A Car made famous by Amelia
Category
Vintage 1950s Folk Art Signs
Materials
Plywood
Mid-20th century sheet metal shoemakers trade sign
Located in London, GB
Mid-20th century sheet metal shoemakers trade sign
A sculptural sheet metal mid-20th century
Category
Vintage 1940s British Mid-Century Modern Signs
Materials
Metal
Early 20th Century Grey Whale Shop/Trade Sign
Located in Hastings, GB
'Thar She Blows' a fabulous rare shop/trade sign of great scale, hand made in riveted zinc and hand
Category
Vintage 1920s French Folk Art Signs
Materials
Zinc
Early 20th Century Folk Art Zinc Barbers Pole Trade Sign
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century folk art zinc barbers pole trade sign.
An early 20th century hand crafted
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Folk Art Signs
Materials
Zinc
Large French Toleware Glove Maker’s Shop Trade Sign
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Large French Toleware Glove Maker’s Shop Trade Sign
This is a very rare piece it is in good
Category
Antique Early 1900s Folk Art Signs
Materials
Tin
Vintage Papier-mache Dutch Butchers Cow Trade Sign, C.1950
Located in London, GB
A wonderful papier-mâché butchers trade sign in the form of a cow. Dutch, c.1950.
Hand made and
Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Industrial Signs
Materials
Paper
Early 20th Century Double Sided Metal Boot Makers Trade Sign
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century double sided metal boot makers trade sign.
A highly decorative double sided
Category
Vintage 1930s French Folk Art Signs
Materials
Metal
Set of Three Folk Art Straight Edge Razor Trade Signs
Located in Stamford, CT
Three whimsical American folk carved wood art trade signs in the form of straight edge razors. Used
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
Large Late 19th or Early 20th Century Zinc Locksmith Trade Sign
Located in Pease pottage, West Sussex
Impressive Late 19th or Early 20th Century Zinc Locksmith Trade Sign in the form of a Large full
Category
Early 20th Century French Signs
Materials
Zinc
Arts and Crafts Copper Milliners Trade Sign, Copper Top Hat
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Arts and Crafts Copper Milliners Trade Sign. Copper Top Hat
This is an unusual piece, the Top
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Arts and Crafts Signs
Materials
Copper
Frazer Nash Huge Illuminated Advertising Painted Trade Sign
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Frazer Nash huge illuminated advertising painted trade sign
This is an advertisement for the
Category
Early 20th Century Industrial Signs
Materials
Wood
Zinc and Gold Horse Head Butchers Trade Sign Flemish 1860
Located in Hastings, GB
19th century Flemish gilt zinc horse head trade sign. This beautiful hand made sign was used by a
Category
Antique 1860s Belgian Folk Art Signs
Materials
Zinc
Monumental Early 20th-Century European Carved Wooden Axe Trade Sign, 66"" Long
Located in New York, NY
A Monumental early 20th-century European carved wooden axe trade sign, measuring an impressive 60
Category
Early 20th Century French Signs
Materials
Wood
H 6.5 in W 60 in D 21 in
Early 20th Century Double-Sided Iron Nautical Trade Sign "The Norfolk"
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Early 20th century double-sided sheet iron, cast iron, hand-painted trade sign with hand-forged
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Iron
Double Sided Gilt & Painted "HAPPY JACK'S" Tobacconist Trade Sign, Laconia, NH
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Two-sided tobacconist trade sign of circular form with gold leaf lettering with red shadow on a
Category
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Gold Leaf
H 48 in W 48 in D 2.5 in
Unusual Set of German Mid-20th Century Shop Trade Sign Tools
Located in London, GB
Unusual set of German mid-20th century shop trade sign tools
Every now and again we are lucky
Category
Vintage 1950s German Folk Art Signs
Materials
Metal, Brass
Large 19th Century 51-Inch Wooden Locksmith Key Trade Sign
Located in New York, NY
This 51-inch long locksmith key trade sign from the 19th century is a remarkable piece of
Category
Antique 19th Century Victorian Signs
Materials
Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century Double Sided Toleware French Dentists Trade Sign
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century Double Sided Toleware French Dentists Trade Sign
An original untouched example
Category
Vintage 1910s French Late Victorian Signs
Materials
Sheet Metal
19th Century Apothecary Mortar & Pestle Countertop Trade Sign or Sale Stimulator
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Apothecary trade sign or sale stimulator in the form of a mortar and pestle in gilt wood. The
Category
Antique Late 19th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
H 12.75 in Dm 5.75 in
Iron Bull Butcher Trade Sign with Hanging Bracket from the Early 20th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
An iron butcher trade sign in the shape of a bull or a cow from the early 1900s. This iron trade
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Signs
Materials
Iron
H 11.25 in W 16.5 in D 3.5 in
Early 20th Century Double Sided French Zinc Clock Smiths Trade Sign
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century double sided French zinc clock Smiths Trade sign
We are proud to offer a rare
Category
Vintage 1910s French Victorian Signs
Materials
Zinc
Early 20th Century Pawn Brokers Trade Sign from Edinburgh UK
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century Pawn Brokers Trade Sign from Edinburgh UK
An oversized and authentic aged
Category
Antique Early 1900s British Victorian Signs
Materials
Metal
'E. M. Smiths Office' Trade Sign.
Located in Branford, CT
'E. M. Smiths Office' sign. Gilt with black smaltz background. American, early 20th century.
H 16
Category
Antique 1880s American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
Edwardian Shoe Shop or Cobblers Trade Sign, Leather Boot Display Model
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Edwardian shoe shop or cobblers trade sign, leather boot display model
This is a wonderful
Category
Early 20th Century Bohemian Signs
Materials
Leather
Snip Snip! Giant French Wooden Scissor Trade Sign, Early 20th Century
Located in New York, NY
This early 20th-century hand-carved wooden trade sign, shaped like an oversized pair of scissors
Category
Early 20th Century French Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
Early 20th Century oversized English Trebor sweet shop trade sign.
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century oversized English Trebor sweet shop trade sign.
A wonderful example of massive
Category
Vintage 1920s British Folk Art Signs
Materials
Sheet Metal
Carved Haddock Trade Sign
Located in Norwell, MA
Six foot carved wood fish reminiscent of a nineteenth century trade sign. With carved gills, fins
Category
2010s British Nautical Objects
Materials
Wood
Elkwood, Late 19th Century American Trade Sign
Located in Nantucket, MA
With carved gilt wood letters with mounted against a blue painted sand ground
American, c. 1890.
Category
Antique Late 19th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
C1945 Cast Aluminum Trade Sign Form of a Key Keil Charlestown N.H. Keys Made
By Keil Company
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous cast aluminum trade sign circa 1945 depicting a actual key in red and silver. Perfect
Category
Vintage 1940s American Industrial Signs
Materials
Aluminum
H 27.5 in W 13 in D 0.5 in
Oversized Metal Key Trade Sign
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Massive metal bit-key trade sign from the UK. Marked BOLTON, 1925. Great patina to metal. Well made
Category
Vintage 1970s British Wall-mounted Sculptures
Materials
Metal
19th Century French Cast Iron Butcher's Shop Trade Sign in the Form of a Cow
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
French cast iron butcher shop trade sign retaining old paint and cast in low relief in the form of
Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Folk Art Signs
Materials
Iron
Antique North Carolina Bait Shop Retail Flounder Fish Painted Wood Trade Sign
Located in Forney, TX
A most charming and one-of-a-kind antique North Carolina bait shop trade sign with beautifully
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood, Paint
H 31.5 in W 48.5 in D 2.5 in
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Trade Signs For Sale on 1stDibs
An assortment of trade signs is available at 1stDibs. Each of these unique trade signs was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, metal and iron. Trade signs have long been popular, with older editions for sale from the 18th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 21st Century. Trade signs bearing Folk Art or Industrial hallmarks are very popular at 1stDibs. Ross Johnson Drug Co, Alan Buonaiuto and Indian Motorcycles each produced beautiful trade signs that are worth considering.
How Much are Trade Signs?
The average selling price for at 1stDibs is $1,886, while they’re typically $245 on the low end and $49,000 highest priced.
Finding the Right Signs for You
Vintage and antique signs are popular collector’s items loved not only for the charm and pops of color they add to a space but also for the unique story each one has to tell. An interesting sign can help set the mood for a room and spark dozens of lively conversations.
Before and during the 18th century, many European peasants and colonists in the Americas couldn’t read, so shopkeepers, in an effort to promote their goods and services, hung trade signs with limited amounts of text.
Indeed, symbols and representational physical objects comprised early-day advertising efforts. In lieu of painted words on a wooden board, trade signs made use of handmade three-dimensional symbols to indicate the function of the shop. The iconic red, white and blue pole could be found outside barbershops, while a figural trade sign mounted to an apothecary’s storefront might be a mortar and pestle sculpted from bronze in order to indicate to passers-by that inside there were apothecary cabinets full of remedies for common ailments and a druggist to carefully dispense them.
As literacy rates improved, signs evolved into rectangular, round or square shapes that featured text. Short and sweet, early iterations were characterized by a mere few words, such as “tavern,” “boarding room” or “apothecary.”
During the 19th century, proprietors endeavored to render their signs more appealing. This meant the introduction of more color, font types and other pictorial representations. After the Civil War ended, logos, branding and advertising became increasingly more important, and the design of signage evolved. Trade signs were still in use during the 20th century, and you will likely find hand-painted tin eyeglasses for an optometrist’s office or an oversize bowling pin that likely had a home in the front window of a bowling alley.
Today, collectors and art aficionados alike collect and display antique and vintage signs. Old signs hearken back to a long-gone era, infusing any interior with warmth and nostalgia.
A vintage sign can help anchor a room — think of decorating with signs as you would arranging any kind of wall art. A large-scale sign in particular can prove a distinguishing feature in a living room or dining room, a focal point so prominent that it might lessen the burden of introducing any additional decorative elements to this particular space. Smaller signs work wonders too — pepper sparsely decorated corners with small colorful signs or add a humorous or graphic element to your gallery-style hang with a small text-based sign or two.
On 1stDibs, find metal, wood and glass antique and vintage signs that span a number of styles, including mid-century modern, industrial and folk art.
Questions About Trade Signs
Prices for most trade signs on 1stdibs are negotiable. You’ll see a "Make an Offer" button on the item details page, indicating that the seller is willing to consider a lower price. It’s not uncommon for customers to get 15–25% off the list price after negotiating. See our tips for negotiating like a pro.
Only experienced, professional sellers who have applied and been thoroughly vetted by our team of experts can sell trade signs and other quality items on our site. Learn more about becoming a 1stdibs seller.
The 1stdibs Buyer Protection Guarantee provides coverage for qualified purchases in the unlikely event that the item arrives not as described or is damaged. We’ll work with you and the seller to find a resolution, ensuring your satisfaction. View details
We have partnerships with the world's best shipping providers to facilitate seamless and fully-insured delivery from the seller's location directly to you, wherever you are in the world. Our logistics team is comprised of dedicated members who arrange all the details with our partners, servicing and supporting all shipments. Learn more about shipping on 1stdibs.
For your convenience, we offer multiple payment methods, including all major credit cards and PayPal. For many purchases we also offer financing options or wire transfer. Learn more about payment options on 1stdibs.
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